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Kyiv, 10 February 2015 – The area of Debaltseve remains the hottest spot in Eastern Ukraine where Russian-backed militants are trying to launch an offensive. Over the night illegal armed groups fired 18 times at the ATO forces from all available types of weapons. “Militants made numerous attempts to storm the towns and villages of Lohvynove, Novohryhorivka and Komuna of Artemivsk district in Donetsk region. ATO forces repelled all attacks.

Fighting for these cities and towns is going on now,” said Colonel Andriy Lysenko, ATO spokesman at a briefing at the Ukraine Crisis Media Center. Illegal armed groups are shelling Debaltseve round the clock ruining the city infrastructure. Militants launched powerful strikes from multiple rocket launchers at the Ukrainian military positions in Artemivsky, Yasynuvatsky, Telmanivsky and Volnovasky districts of Donetsk region and in Popasnyansky and Stanychno-Luhansky districts of Luhansk region. Novohryhorivka and Popasna were most affected.

In Luhansk region in the area of Makarove town militants fired at a group of Ukrainian border guards that was moving in a “Cougar” armoured vehicle. “Thanks to the skillful driver the border guards did not get injuries,” added Colonel Lysenko. From Novoazovsk side Russian mercenaries opened fire from Grad multiple rocket launchers and mortars at “Hnutove” control point. Over 30 shells bursts were noted. Access through the control points “Hnutove” and “Stanychno-Luhanske” was temporarily stopped due to the shelling.

In the last day 7 Ukrainian servicemen were killed in action and 24 were wounded. As per intelligence information troops of the Russian Federation Armed Forces are amassed near the Ukrainian-Russian state border. Manpower, military equipment and weapons are being massively deployed to Russia’s Rostov region. “From there Russian servicemen are being sent to the territory of Ukraine in military uniforms or other camouflage without insignia and documents. Those reluctant to fight against Ukraine are threatened to be fired,” explained Colonel Lysenko.

From 9 to 12 February 2015 an inspection group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces holds an inspection in Rostov region of the Russian Federation according to the Vienna document of 2011 on confidence and security-building measures. “Inspectors in particular are entitled to unlimited access to military and other defense facilities, warships and military aircraft except for the sensitive areas where access is usually limited or denied,” added the ATO spokesman.

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